Style Cupid

thou shalt covet #41: Maria Piana armour jewellery

Y'all know i love a good wrist cuff - in fact i've always said that if i ever get married to Will Chalker (sorry, i mean when), he'll have to buy me a cuff and not a ring. Ok both. I digress. Maria Piana's incredible gladitorial armour like jewellery is at the top of my covet list at the moment.

The Greek designer's simple pieces are all about power and empowerment. And my god do they do that.

Her signiture looks are wrist plates and metal constructions that wrap around the arm in a chic almost Roman-esque way. Beautiful. Artful. Elegant and fucking powerful!

Check out more of her AW12/13 collection in this incredible video. Love it! Who run the world? Maria Piana it would seem! Happy Friday! 

cupid struck aw12: James Long menswear

It's not often that I come across a collection - a mens collection anyways - where I literally want to own every single look. But James Long AW12 is such a collection (there's about a zillion womens collections i want all of!). It's the oversized almost furry knitwear in particular - that has an almost acopolytic quality to it - wrapping and wrapping it's way around the body in that deconstructed way.

And those embelished gilded collars - so ornate and almost decandent - but again in that distressed rustic kinda way.

This huge furry white workwear jumper in particular is beyond words - it's what i'd wear if i was ever cast to be in a stage version of The Road...

And the surreal marbling print surely has to be the new "Christopher Kane Galaxy" - i want this on EVERYTHING!

Amazing collection - even more amazing designer.

silk scarf prints for spring - like everywhere...

Gianni Versace's jazzy 80's scarf prints are literally everywhere this season. Think of the kind of almost eastern scarf designs that you'd see in Aladdin- like in the Prince Ali scene obv! - with that Ottoman twist. But also think of those baroque ornate floral scarves and even nautical type scarf-chic popular with French Madames the world over. Then think of this entire aesthetic as a trend - with big colours, rococco patterns, opulent fabrics and shimmering threads. That's it.

The scarf print trend is about being bold. The bigger the print clash the better - prefereably all on the same garment. And if you're not clashing prints together then offset the look with plain white, to really bring it out. LOVE this look - here's a pick of my faves from the SS12 runways...

D+G summery scarf wonderfulness

Yves Saint Laurent silken scarve statement trousers - with a plain top - perfection!

Paisley scarf chic at Thakoon

Peasant gyspy scarves at Pucci in very much the Princess Jasmine vein of things

And structured kaleidoscopic scarf prints at Givenchy Resort 2012

So go grab those summer scarves and drape them round yo'self - you know it's the right thing. And more importantly, it's what Gianni would have wanted.

Trina Turk! Trina Turk! Trina Turk! Ob. Sessed.

So ok - you're in Palm Springs post-Coachella for a few days. You've sunned yourself by the pool to a crisp, had umpteen ice-cream shakes from Ruby's complete with whipped cream and a cherry on top; cycled around flirting with beary gays in Koffi; been exposed to the delights of the 'gay only resort' by a relative stranger from Chicago who takes a fancy to you in a bar; had every meal at Cheeky's becoming somewhat addicted to their cinnamon french toast with rhubarb and vanilla cream; and cocktailed away on Orbitini's (saki, cranberry, orange - amazing!) religiously for the Orbit Inn '5pm cocktail hour'. What do you do then? Go and buy a bright yellow preppy short-suit obv! Trina Turk grabbed my attention the second i cycled past it on a little vintage bike. I'd never heard of it before but i think it might just be my new favourite design label in the world. Here's why....

I know right - it's a true visual festival of summer! Trina's philosophy is to create "wearable optimistic fashion" drawing inspiration from the cocktail and poolside culture of Palm Springs - where she has an incredible boutique in an Albert Frey modernist building (along with a pink-hued one in Los Angeles + one in the meat-packing distract of New York.)

Mr Turk - the menswear arm of her brand is wonderfully vibrant, colourful and stylish. It's in the ivy league/country club vein of things, with incredible bright designs, exuberant fabrics and trim cutting ensuring a truly gentlemanly silhouette.

Pieces are boldly patterned with a subtle Californian vintage feel - it's like a contemporary twist on Dianne Von Furstenberg - making an aesthetic that really is joyfully celebratory. These are clothes that are there to look good, make you feel good and make everyone in the same room as you feel even better!

So to that yellow suit. It's below - and is LITERALLY made of sunshine. I just could not resist. Probably my favourite purchase ever of the past few years...

And as if all that wasn't enough colourful excitement, there's even Trina Turk homewares...

One of my favourite discoveries in years - a true aesthetic feast that is just so so so happy. Trina Turk, i'm loving everything that you do - you have a life-time convert here. Can't wait to see future collections!

salivate #8: Cocomaya chocolatier & artisan bakery, Chelsea

I’m not really one for chocolates, baked delights or pastries. Yes that’s a lie. A massive lie. Chocolate, baked delights and pastries are EVERYTHING to me. I have a sweet tooth. A very sweet tooth (as well as a savoury, salty, sour and umami one!). So it was with quite wondrous delight that on a our recent Chelsea Rickshaw Tour I had Cocomaya brought to my attention – an exquisite fine chocolatier and artisan bakery – with a seemingly fashion twist.

You see Cocomaya is the ganache laden baby of Joel Berstein (former head of concept at Liberty) and Walid al Damirji (an accessories and fashion consultant). And the resulting experience really is wonderfully magical, uncompromisingly chic and unequivocally delicious.

The Chelsea bakery in particular is decked out in bleached wood and marble, showing off the breads and tartlets and chocolates and pastries and scones and petit sandwiches and cream profiteroles and brownies and cookies and muffins and sugared buns to perfection.

If the selection of delectable’s that we sampled is anything to go by, their afternoon teas should not be missed – I’ll definitely be going back. And maybe breakfast. Probably brunch. Definitely for a mid-shopping snack. Or three.

And don’t just take my word for how de-lish it all was - I think the look on the Very Simon G’s face says it all!

A true gem. Check out their 3 sumptuous branches : 12 Connaught St, W2 2AF; 3 Porchester Place, W2 2BS and 186 Pavilion Road, SW1X 0BJ. Give them a little like on Facebook or check out their latest news on twitter @cocomayalondon . Yum!

covered #15

Can you imagine??

Doutzen is literally on fire at the moment!

Daria daria daria... like a phoenix about the rise - love it!

I love my baaaaaaaaangggs! #ptriquecestchic

mono-colour chic at Bottega Veneta resort 2013

I'm a big fan of the mono-colour dressing trend. There's something decidely brave about a person that has the courage to block just one simple colour - it's hedging ALL of your bets into that one colour without any compromise, resulting in either a car crash or an extremity of chic that is hard to rival. And Bottega Veneta's resort 2013 collection raises the mono-colour bar pretty fooking high. In soft cloud like vintage 70's shades with almost utilitarian Celine-like cutting, it's a collection that has a sophitication that is - well, just oh so resort. Here's a pick of my favourite looks for women + men. Fab!

photos credit: fashionising.com

thou shalt covet #40: Illesteva sunglasses

It's sunny! Can you fucking believe it??? I thought it was the end of the world the other day - like sort it out God - what did the gays or the fashionistas ever do to deserve this! Anyways, remember The Supply Room in Santa Barbara that i was raving about a few posts ago? Well it was here that i discovered Illesteva sunglasses. Hand made in Italy and designed in New York,  Illesteva sunnies are fucking awesome - especially given that the entire world has gone abit Persol crazy at the mo (#blandmuch).

They try to push boundaries of design by exploring shapes and materials like acetate, bamboo, wood, titanium and natural buffalo horn with each new frame design - in their words.

It's no wonder the likes of Beyonce and Gwen Stefani are fans. LOVE them.

on meeting Andrej Pejic

Apart from when I was about 6 and met Diane Louise Jordan from Blue Peter, until this year I’m not sure I’ve never been especially star struck. I guess this blogging lark is a bit weird in that invariably you find yourself in the same room – if not sat / stood / reclining next too all manner of people - from editors to designers to pop stars to movie stars and almost without a shadow of a doubt next to Alexa Chung (I mean what even is she and how exactly does she get EVERYWHERE?). I know that if Beyonce ever walked into a room I’d go flipping mental. Or Nicki Minaj. Or Fiona Apple. Or both Proenza and Schouler. But what I didn’t quite expect was the reaction I had on our recent trip to California when I was for the 1^st time ever properly heart palpitations style star struck.

I met Andrej Pejic.

Regular readers will know of my absolute admiration for this person of unashamedly indeterminate gender (he's even my twitter background). It was at our hotel in Hollywood. By the pool. Around brunch time. We were soaking up some rays and in he strolled in a black sheer skirt, Vivienne Westwood boots and a simple black t-shirt - with lightning-bolt blonde hair flattened against his insanely pretty face.

He was everything he represented on camera – but completely off camera. Not a man. Not a woman. Just pure beauty. We had a good little natter and I couldn’t resist asking for a photo and here it is below. Note this was just with my shitty iPhone – in the boiling California heat. But I think this photo just shows what an incredible superstar he is –Andrej is completely striking, completely stunning and completely flawless - especially compared to me melting away!

Anyways, this is now an excuse for me to post even more pictures of him  - as yesterday he walked as a bride for the second time in the Rosa Clara show...

And here he is on the cover of this months ID...

And here’s just one of my favourite pictures of him ever ever ever ever as the Gaultier bride...

That’s all. Happy Friday ya’ll.

x

we need to talk about The Supply Room boutique in Santa Barbara

So i basically want to live in Santa Barbara California. I mean it's just the most wonderful lovely picture perfect all American town ever. Imagine an episode of Happy Days in the sunshine on Christmas Day. That's the sentiment of Santa Barbara - and what's more, it's brimming with adorable little boutiques like The Supply Room which is run by Chris Sewell and Kenny Osehan’s in the wonderful Presidio Motel on the top end of State Street:

The store has an exquisite selection of indy fashions, accessories, natural beauty products and art - all hand selected by the pair - who i think you'll agree have truly exceptional taste. Just take a look at these beautiful leather goodies...

 

And the beautiful shoes...

The wonderfully hand-crafted jewelery + stationary...

And then all those gorgeous natural beauty products, soaps + candles packaged and presented together in the most elegant of simple spaces.

 

If you're ever in Santa Barbara, i can't recommend staying their enough: The Supply Room, Presido Motel,  1620 State Street, Santa Barbara (805.963.1355) or for a taste of their beautiful artisan shop check out their online store. And if you do go, you simply MUST take out the awesome Wonder Year's style vintage bikes to the beach...

I most certainly do love the Presidio Motel!

shoot me #7: 'The Throne' for The Ground magazine

This upcoming editorial shoot in "The Ground" photographed by Seiji Fujimori is truely epic. It follows some blonde glamazon queen - dressed in Versace & Gucci amongst others - who rules over a tribe of basically adonis like gods. The whole thing has a sense of drama and story telling that i've not seen done quite so lavishly for ages - truly extrodinary images! Here's a pic of my faves...

Now that's the kinda fucking nation i'd want to rule!

what i'm wearing to the Met Gala tonight

So i don't quite know why i'm blogging as i've got a MILLION things to do before tonight's Met Gala including putting on about 5 pairs of SPANX but anyways, thought i'd let y'all know what i'm wearing this year. So the dress - basically, i know that everyone wears like THE now dresses and are dictated to by Anna Wintour - but you know what - i'm not like those other bitches - i'm wearing something from Rodarte ss09. In particular this one because i'm OBSESSED with it and it'll go really well with the last bits of my America tan and i'll look JUST like Karlie Kloss does obv...

For shoes i'm wearing these feathered Roger Vivier ones...

And jewelerry i'm keeping to just these SS12 Alexander McQueen Indian hand adornments - to show off - you know - erm - my indianess - as modelled by Jessie J in this months Amercian Elle...

Look out for me in like ALL the papers tomorrow - although bet i get paped adjusting my boobs or tripping over or something. Typical!

thou shalt covet #39: Liberty x Dr Martens

Liberty in London opened in 1875 specialising in ornamental prints, floral fabrics and objet d’art with an Eastern tinge. Dr Martens first factory opened in Germany in 1952 using discarded rubber from Luftwaffe airfields to create comfortable and durable soled boots. Cut to 2012 and Dr Martens + Liberty have full on collaborated to make exactly what it seems history had planned from the outset - incredible classic Liberty floral printed Dr Martens. Obv!

The theme of the collection is “Wild Nature” – a celebration of the refined beauty of the flora used in Liberty print juxtaposed with the rebellious ethos of Dr. Martens. And this all come out particularly amazingly on the beautiful satchels that are also part of the collection...

Totes loving them! Avaliable in Liberty now.

cupid struck aw12: Won Hundred menswear

I mean I’m not exactly what you’d call a minimalist - but there’s something about Danish brand Won Hundred’s distinctive take on understated simplicity that just gets me. It might be because Won Hundred is a brand that proactively seeks inspiration from music, people, cinema, nature and art – all things that I love (yes even nature believe it or not…).

Indeed it’s a brand with a mission to “define a modern style for multifaceted and enthusiastic  individuals” – something that comes through in the autumn collection. I particularly love this grey jumper….

And the clean utility of these caretaker like jackets are made ridiculously chic through the attention to finer details and quality that Won Hundred has. Every piece really is pretty special.

 

The shoes from the collection show off the simplicity of the brand perfectly – and what I love is that the whole premise is that they allow the personality of the wearer to shine through.

Great concept. Beautiful collection. Fantastic brand!

covered #14

Now that's what i call androgyny + monochrome - combined into red-headed perfection!

Sid - brown buttery Werther's style leather, porclien blue eyes and tousled hair - you could just EAT him up!

Will that Louis collection EVER fail to make at least afew covers a month?? Amazing...

Studded metallic Jesus crown. Now that's how to launch a magazine!